Council Staff Absence Through Sickness Hits Record Low

Sickness levels among Basildon Council workers have fallen to a record low. Figures released by the authority show sickness has dropped from a high of 12.2 days per employee in January 2007, to just above eight.

The fall means average sickness levels have now been driven below the council’s target of nine days per worker. Councillor Phil Turner, Basildon Council’s cabinet member for Resources, welcomed the reduction.

He said:“We are pleased our sickness figures have continued to fall and are now below our target level. Sickness has dropped by 33 per cent in the last 15 months, which equates to an extra 20 staff delivering services to residents. We have introduced a range of measure to tackle sickness absence while at the same time continuing to support our staff as they deserve. This approach is helping to boost productivity, protect the health of our staff and ensure taxpayers’ money is being used efficiently.”

Staff on long-term sickness were included in the average figures and the majority of employees take fewer sick days. Among the measures being used to tackle sickness includes an occupational health service which requires staff to report in when they are sick. This allows for better monitoring of sickness trends and offers individuals immediate support from day one of any illness. Managers have also been given specialist training in dealing with sickness absence that includes interviewing individuals returning to work after a bout of illness to identify any underlying causes.